THE CHURCHES OF DEL GALLEGO, CAMARINES SUR AND TAGKAWAYAN, QUEZON

On our way back to Manila, we passed by two more parish churches of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur and Tagkawayan, Quezon.  Del Gallego is located at the northeastern edge of the  province of Camarines Sur directly bordering the southern end of Quezon. It is in fact the first town of Camarines Sur that travelers encounter when entering the Bicol Region from Quezon Province via the Maharlika Highway. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Libmanan.

Tagkawayan, on the other hand,  is the southernmost municipality of Quezon along the Maharlika Highway before one enters the Bicol Region through Del Gallego. Because of this strategic location, the town has long served as a crossroads between Southern Luzon and Bicol. Tagkawayan belongs to the Diocese of Gumaca. 

Sta. Rita De Cascia Parish (F-1938)
Del Gallego, Camarines Sur

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (F-1943)
Tagkawayan, Quezon

THE PACIFIC TOWNS OF SORSOGON

After our overnight stay at Subic Beach, the same boat that had brought us there returned at around 7:30 in the morning to take us back to Matnog so we could continue our journey to Manila.

Instead of taking the usual inland route through Irosin in the middle of the province, we decided to follow the more scenic coastal road along the Pacific side of Sorsogon. From Matnog, we passed through the towns of Santa Magdalena, Bulusan, Barcelona, Gubat, Prieto Diaz, and finally Bacon, which is now a district of Sorsogon City.

Our Maps.me app indicated that after reaching Prieto Diaz, we would have to return to Gubat on the way to Sorsogon City. Fortunately, we asked a local resident in Prieto Diaz, who informed us that there was already a fully cemented road leading directly to Bacon. In fact, she said it was even better than the Gubat–Sorsogon road. Thanks to that advice, we were able to continue onward to Bacon without backtracking.

Although Bacon is no longer a separate town, it still has an old church and remains one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Sorsogon. Fr. Philippe had specifically recommended that we pass by the place, and we were glad we did.

The drive turned out to be a wonderfully scenic journey along the Pacific coast of the province, with beautiful seaside views and very few vehicles along the road, making the trip all the more peaceful and enjoyable. 

Holy Infant Jesus Parish
Matnog, Sorsogon

St. Mary Magdalene Parish
Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon

St. James the Greater Parish
Bulusan, Sorsogon

The old belfry stands on the corner of the church plaza. 

St. Joseph Parish
Barcelona, Sorsogon

In front of the church just across the street is a lighthouse and a park. 

Nearby are ruins of the Presedencia which was the seat of the Governadorcillo during the Spanish times. 

St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Gubat, Sorsogon

This was the only church we visited that we were unable to enter, as the church was locked and there was no one at the convent whom we could ask to let us in. Since it was a Tuesday—a day off for both the priest and the parish office—this was quite understandable. We were fortunate that in the other parishes there was always someone available who kindly allowed us to see the interior of the churches.

St. Lawrence the Deacon Parish
Priesto Diaz, Sorsogon

Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish
Bacon District, Sorsogon City

A side altar in the church which was used as repository for the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday. 

Bacon was formerly an independent municipality before it was merged with the Municipality of Sorsogon to create Sorsogon City in the year 2000 through Republic Act No. 8806.

Historically, Bacon was one of the older settlements in the province. It became a civil town (pueblo) in 1754 and even predates the town of Sorsogon itself as an organized pueblo.

Today, Bacon survives as one of the districts of Sorsogon City and still retains much of its old-town character, including its historic parish church and coastal communities.